Starting at a basic level, all garden areas should be clean and clear of clutter, so prepare for a thorough spring clean-out. Beyond this, a range of various annual checks and remedial works might be required. For example check to ensure that the fencing and paved areas are in good condition. Are trees and shrubs neat and tidy? Are lawn areas green, groomed and refreshing or simply jaded weeded patches?

Lawns should be in good condition, evenly cut with crisp well-defined neat edges, weeded and clear of all fallen leaf and grass cuttings. Pale looking lawns can be restored to vivid green with the application of fertiliser. If problems are more serious and lawn is infested with weeds, consider replacing the old lawn with new roll turf. Whatever the area size, a well maintained level and groomed lawn is a major contributor to the overall look of the garden. If like most people you do not like strimming, why not consider installing a lawn edge.  A natural stone cobble edging (set in sand and cement and approx 25-mm below ground level) not only provides a practical mowing strip but clearly defines the lawn profile.

Patios can show results of ‘greening’, particularly if they are located in north facing sites, which tend to be shaded and damp during winter periods. This greening, along with any residual grime, moss, and weed, can be removed by power washing, which will restore the stone like new. Environmentally friendly stone cleaners/treatments are now also available that can be applied annually to prevent the greening effect. Consider adding some extra colour and drama to the patio area with a few strategically placed colourful planters.

Fencing should be checked for any signs of damage or repairs. Tired looking fencing can be re-juvenated with a fresh coat of paint. Use colour creatively; use light tones for bright and warm results, whilst darker tones make a more dramatic effect to emphasise plant forms and a more contemporary look.

Shrubs, Trees and Herbaceous flowers all require trimming and pruning. You should dead-head (i.e. remove) faded blooms and old flower heads; trim and prune trees and shrubs, especially low hanging or overgrown branches around windows or over footpaths. If there are obvious or unsightly gaps amongst the existing plants, consider carefully the importance of colour when selecting possible replacements. To bring out the best in colour and impact, consider planting in groups (block planting). Do not overlook the importance also of scent in the garden. Effective ways of experiencing scent throughout the garden include planting in patio areas, near windows and along footpaths. Some popular scented shrubs varieties include Lavender, Rosemary, Santolina, Helichrysum, and Daphne.

Water Features add a new dimension to any garden and there are a wide range of styles and sizes available. Water features are always eye catching and the mesmerizing and soothing qualities of running water is very appealing. The best position for locating water features tends to be near the patio. With the addition of some architectural planting and subtle lighting, water features can take on a different role at night. Use garden lighting to illuminate the gently cascading water makes for a stunning focal point during darkness.

• Tidy planted borders and remove any fallen leaf or debris from lawn areas
• Plant deciduous bare root trees and shrubs so long as ground is not too wet or frozen
• Start winter pruning of hardy summer flowering shrubs (e.g. buddleja, spirea, hypericum)
• Plant up window boxes and containers with seasonal colour (e.g. winter flowering pansies, cyclamens, heathers)
• Add some delightful winter colour and scent to the garden by planting winter flowering shrubs near pathways or entrances (e.g. daphne odora, sarococca hamelis)
• Give lawn area a light mow (only during dry spells) to keep lawn looking neat

Here’s a great recipe to create your own fat ball winter’s treat and so easy to prepare. Do try and experiment with other mixes and shapes/containers.

Simply soften a block of lard (in oven/microwave) and add your favourite seed (crushed sunflower) or crushed nut (plain peanut). Fill the container (small plastic pot or yogurt container or paper cup) and using a kebab stick or knitting needle to help pass a string carefully through the centre of the mix.  Tie a knot at the base and allow the mix to set (place in a fridge for a few hours).

Gently remove mix from container and hang from tree branch and get ready to be entertained by the birds flocking to feast on the fat ball.

Other possible mixes to try with lard include breadcrumb, sultanas and oatmeal; crushed weetabix and sunflower seed.

Limestone paving offers a bolder drama and stronger contrast

Limestone patios a strong choice with a more striking impression

Seamless transition from house to patio

Limestone patios with darker tones means less maintenance required

Sweeping limestone pathway

Natural limestone is increasingly a popular choice when it comes to selecting a natural stone for garden patios and pathways. Traditionally limestone was and remains a strong choice for gardens where a distinct architectural style was preferred over the alternative warmer tones popular in more rustic styled gardens. Another reason behind the increasing popularity of limestone especially for Irish gardeners is that the darker tones of limestone are less prone to becoming green and therefore more resilient to coping with damp weather.

But of course the natural dark tones of limestone provides a neutral backdrop to the lush green foliage of lawn and planted areas. This neutral backdrop is enhanced during wet spells when the limestone paving becomes much darker and more striking.

Limestone setts offers an effective and distinct edge to the pebbled area

A structured layout to the working garden area

Limestone setts define the sweeping line of the planted border beautifully

Limestone pathway defines the boundary to ornamental garden area

Lawns can look a little off, a light clip on top and along edges will make a big difference (only mow lawn when ground is firm and during a dry spell)
Now is an ideal time to plant new bare rooted  hedging or trees (but avoid planting when the ground is very wet)
Winter storms and winds are very strong and can easily damage young trees, so check all tree ties and stakes to ensure trees are secured and firm in the ground
Prune any overhanging branches from trees or shrubs
For additional splash of winter colour in borders or containers, plant groups of colourful  cyclamens or winter pansies
Spruce up the planted borders with a fresh topdressing of bark mulch
Remember to leave out some feed (seed, nuts or fat balls) for the birds.

This Christmas why not consider an alternative ‘stocking filler’ to the regular gifts like books, music CD or DVD which invariably after not too long end up being tucked away in the back of a cupboard never to seen or rarely enjoyed again? Instead why not consider an alternative and much more useful practical gift?

Six essential gardening tools

1. Garden Fork  – ideal for digging heavy soils, breaking down rough soil and preparing soil for cultivation (growing fruit and/or vegetables)
2. Garden Hoe – a very useful gardening tool especially for removing any weeds growing around the flowers, shrubs and trees. Buy one with a long handle which saves much bending and back ache.
3. Garden Spade – the ideal tool for digging and preparing ground for planting shrubs and trees. Medium and long handled spades are generally better for any heavy digging.
4. Garden Rake – there are two different styles of rakes available one is used for levelling freshly prepared ground before sowing seed.  The other and very useful form of rake is the law rake. The latter is ideal for many tasks involved in keeping a lawn area fresh and healthy (removing dead grass, thatch, moss, fallen leaf).
5. Garden trowel – an excellent hand tool for planting bulbs, bedding plants and small potted plants. Also very useful for tidying pots, containers and hanging baskets.
6. Secateurs – most gardens involved some element of seasonal or occasional cutting. Secateurs are ideal for all general cutting but especially useful for cutting flowers which are intended for such purposes as table decoration/bouquets etc. For heavier or more regular cutting and pruning, a pruners or shears might be a better option.

Select tools which have been made with craft using robust materials. Avoid any bargain offers, these are usually sold on price not quality and are unlikely to last very long. Selecting well made quality tools will not only make a great gift idea but provide a lifetime of trouble free performance which is guaranteed to keep the gardener happy and the garden beautiful!

Limestone paved pathway

There are many obvious advantages to landscaping large urban gardens, spatial scope, design options and not least opportunities to create ‘journey layouts’ to provide subtle but leading pathways to link the various areas or compartments within the overall scheme. Similar to interior layouts, it is perhaps more effective to have some design strands to provide some discernible continuity as one travels from one room to the next, in other words a coherent design which links but still providing scope for developing individual layouts within each room and similarly within each area of the garden. This approach also relies more heavily on developing an uncongested and seemingly harmonious layout with good open aspect views to most areas. The more open uncongested layout also has an obvious advantage of maximising the sense of space which would otherwise appear reduced in busy fragmented layouts with restricted views.

Limestone paving is the preferred natural stone choice for patio and pathways and is also used as lawn edging as well as framing (edging) the palnetd border areas. Note the strong use of sweeping curves with limestone setts to complement the more softer look which the planting will provide. Some straightlines have also been used to good practical effect especially along the retained hedging. Using setts as an edging is very effective to provide permanence to the profile or layout, a good buffer to prevent unwelcomed migration of planting or weeds into neighbouring space as well as an excellent mowing edge to ensure easy to mow clean and crisp lines (or curves) without the need for any strimming.

In this large garden, good space allocation has been made for a number of important areas including patio, lawn, planted areas, garden storage facilities, vegetable growing  (raised beds) and plant propagation (greenhouse). The process of selecting surface finishes and ground preparation has also taken into consideration optimised performance and reducing the maintenance requirements.

Limestone setts as lawn/border edging

Curve appeal

Limestone setts used to enhance look and also define planted space

Horticultural liner provides an effective weed barrier under pebble surface

Limestone paving defines individual spaces and ground levels

The working garden area evolves and space allocated for newer elements

Form meets finish

Lawn edging and pathway make adjustments to lawn levels easy

But gardens growing wild and out of control can be a cause for much disappointment and frustration. Fearing that his home was at risk of losing value, Mr Carroll, a concerned house owner living in the affluent suburb of Ballsbridge, Dublin, took legal action because his neighbour Ms Barry was allowing her garden to grow wild. Earlier this month, in the Circuit Civil Court, Mr Carroll said that briars and overgrowth from his neighbour’s garden had to be regularly cut back. Mr Justice Matthew Deery granted an order awarding Mr Carroll € 2,500 damages and legal costs and directed Ms Barry to cut back growth and prune trees.

Homeowners wishing to avoid the risk of a Court order should note this judgement and to also consider your neighbour’s expectations when determining your garden’s maintenance requirements. Apart from the immediate satisfaction a great looking garden, well maintained garden areas optimises the individual plant’s performance and remain trouble free for many years. Homeowners requiring  assistance on planting options or plants, should consult with a professional garden designer who will  provide valuable advice to determine an optimum planting scheme for your garden.

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Sweeping profiles - more difficult cutting but more interesting shapes

Although patios and pathways come in all shapes and sizes, space permitting sweeping curves can make patio and pathway profiles more gentle, smoother and  probably much more appealing than simple straight lines. However in gardens where space is perhaps more limited, straight line or linear layouts are more space efficient. Ideally patio lines should be defined as to be consistent with the overall garden design and almost informally leading the eye from one element to the next. Another important point when designing pathways, is to avoid at all possible dissecting the lawn into smaller segments which will mak ethe overall lawn area appear smaller. Also by positioning the pathway to one side can offer many possibilities for a more interesting shape to lawn and border planting areas. By all means the pathway is offer access  from one area to another but it can also be used to profile a more interesting shape to the lawn. Pathwaysbeing a firm and levelled surface  is a very useful means of determining lawn level and providing a simple but effective mowing edge.

Construction of new limestone patio

Storm channel provides a neat and effective solution to controlling run-off

The sweeping aspect and distinctive appeal of pathway begins to emerge